The Wheel of Sport

1970 VFL Grand Final

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 02:37:57 GMT

In 1970, old VFL rivals, Carlton and Collingwood faced each other in the Grand Final. The game took place in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to over 120,000 people packed in to see the spectacle. However, Collingwood dominated the first two quarters and raced into a healthy lead. Carlton walked off at half time deflated and dejected.

A team talk and a revolutionary change of tactics and approach by the Carlton coach Ron Barassi, not only changed the course of this Grand Final, but it changed a sport forever.

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Hansie Cronje - Cricket, confessions and corruption

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:08:02 GMT

Hansie Cronje burst onto the international cricket scene in a match against Australia. With youth, good looks and a champion of reconciliation in South Africa, Cronje rose to the heights of his sport and society. This story covers a remarkable on pitch deal with the English cricket captain; dark dealings in hotel rooms; a confession and a sad, unexpected end to life.

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Olympic Rejects

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:16:33 GMT

We take most Olympic sports for granted and they have the sense that they have always been there. However, sports have to compete against each other to make the Olympic roster. Some win but many get rejected. This episode is the story of the Winter Olympic sports that never quite made the grade.

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John Montague - Hollywood's finest golfer

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:25:38 GMT

The story of John Montague. An exceptionally talented golfer who was reluctant to join the tour but very keen to live the celebrity Hollywood lifestyle. Montague worked his way through Hollywood's A-list society before his life took a turn when an eagle-eyed detective spotted him in Time magazine and his past quickly caught up with him.

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Technology in Sport

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 14:09:20 GMT

This is a blast through some of the technological advances in sport that you may never have heard of including one which may have been inspired by a British soap opera!

Stories of pink newspapers being sold out of the back of vans, snooker selling TVs and how split screen revolutionised a sport.

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The Man Who Changed Baseball: Marvin Miller

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 14:03:51 GMT

Baseball in the USA was a industry ran by the owners, for the owners. Players had few rights and were paid a fraction of what they were worth. Nobody challenge the status quo - until Marvin Miller battered down the door and unlocked the freedom of the players. This is a story of the power of the union and how it was used to modernise a national sport and show the rest of society that the power of the bosses could, and should, be questioned.

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Freediving - The depths of danger

Mon, 30 May 2022 14:49:55 GMT

Freediving is a niche sport due to the level of difficultly and the risk of serious injury and death. The serenity and peaceful nature of deep-diving can lull the participants into a different world and prove addictive.

This is the story of how freediving became a cult sport with a truly deadly risk.

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Elizabeth Swaney - The slippery slope to the Olympic Games

Sun, 01 May 2022 02:56:13 GMT

Very few athletes ever get the opportunity to represent their country at the Olympics. Through training, discipline and shear sporting talent, some manage to make the grade. Once there, they will do everything in their power to try to get a place on the podium and, failing that, try to represent themselves in the best light possible. This is the story of an 'athlete' who broke the mould by sauntering into the Olympics with little sporting prowess but excellent management of her calendar and air miles. Elizabeth Swaney became an unlikely focus of the 2018 Winter Olympics for all the wrong reasons.

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The America Billionaire Who Changed English Cricket

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 13:05:12 GMT

This is the story of an American billionaire who found himself in the inner circle of the home of English cricket. Now a convicted criminal, Allen Stanford managed to land his helicopter on the hallowed turf at Lord's Cricket Ground, convince the ECB to play a one off game in the Caribbean and ultimately left a shameful mark on the English game. What attracted one of England's most stuffy and conservative sporting bodies to this lavish and corrupt billionaire?

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The Mystery of Shergar

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 07:22:24 GMT

Shergar was an Irish-bred wonder horse. With exceptional ability, speed and stamina, the horse captivated a sport and international attention. The prospect of Shergar sharing his genetics and creating a new generation of competitive, world class horses was too good to miss for investors. However, the extraordinary value of Shergar attracted the unwanted attention of a band of Irishmen who were looking to raise funds for nefarious activities. Was the kidnapping successful? Did the ransom get paid? Where is Shergar today? Listen to The Wheel of Sport to find the answers!

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Parkour - The story of an athletic non-sport

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 08:03:16 GMT

The Oxford Dictionary describes Parkour as the sport of moving through a city by running, jumping, and climbing under, around, and through things. However, there is debate on whether it is a sport at all. There has been splits, international recognition and a lineage traced to the early 20th Century. Parkour also has a lot to owe the French Firefighter who inadvertently provided the inspiration for a new and exciting activity which sparked worldwide interest.

This is the story of a modern athletic activity which is still developing, growing and finding its way in the world.

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The Curse of Mayo

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 06:07:38 GMT

Mayo is a proud county situated on the wild west coast of Ireland. With passionate fans and a history of producing some of Ireland's finest sports stars, Mayo GAA are one of the leading sporting organisations in Ireland. They should have won a huge amount of major trophies in the post-war period but they have struggled to get over the line.

In this episode, we explore the legend of a curse that was placed on the Mayo team in the 1950s and has haunted them to this day.

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Alexandre Villaplane - French Football's First World Cup Captain

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 13:05:48 GMT

Alexandre Villaplane was an immigrant footballer trying to make his way in the amateur game. He got off to great start and quickly became the best player in the country. Villaplane led France in their World Cup debut in 1930 but on his return his sporting career spun out of control and, with the onset of the Second World War, the demise of this malign character became inevitable.

This is the story of a player who rose to greatness before sliding into the underworld and collaborating with the evils against his own countrymen.

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Jean Marc Bosman - The ruling that changed football forever

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 15:01:02 GMT

Jean Marc Bosman was a lower league professional footballer but his challenge to be in charge of his own destiny had a hugely significant impact on football in Europe and is still shaping how careers are fulfilled and players are transferred.

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Basketball: One change = amazing results. But players just won't do it!

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:52:43 GMT

What if you were playing top level NBA and a coach told you of some small change to your game that could improve you exponentially?

What if the coach told you that the change was perfectly legal and within the rules?

What if the coach told you that every player in the NBA knew about it but almost nobody does it?

This is the puzzling story of how top level basketball players refuse to make a small change that could improve their performance and the history of it.

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Super Saturday - London 2012

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 01:54:47 GMT

It was the summer of 2012. The world had gathered in London for the 2012 Olympic Games. Team GB had targeted a number of key sports in which they could medal but on Saturday 4th August 2012 the medals rained down on the team. From the morning, right up to an extraordinary 45 minute period, the golds kept coming in one of the most captivating periods in Olympic history.

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The Highland Games

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:45:26 GMT

The Highland games has endured throughout the ages and exists today as a celebration of Highland culture and Scottish defiance against the aggression of their neighbours.

A mixture of strength and skill often inspire by agriculture, the Highland games provide an opportunity to revel in Scottish history and a legacy of historical sporting development. Although the games were coopted by the royal ruling class, they remain a symbol of life before living under English rule.

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Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Wed, 12 May 2021 09:29:31 GMT

Mildred Ella Didrikson, who was known simply as 'Babe', became one of the greatest athletes of all time. However, that was just part of her story. At only 5ft 7in, Babe ran, jumped, threw, pitched and swung her way to be the best sports all rounder that ever lived.

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Lay Down Sally

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 07:36:31 GMT

Sally Robbins was a gifted athlete who managed to show so much promise, she was selected for the Australian Olympic rowing team. Although they were outsiders to medal at the Athen's games, the team had got themselves within half a second of the leaders. However, by the end of the race, the Australian boat dragged through the water over ten seconds after all the other teams had finished.

What had happened? Why had they thrown away the lead? Who or what was responsible?

This is the story of Lay Down Sally, Athens 2004.

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Part Two - EFL Trophy Final Special 2021 - SAFC vs TRFC

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:37:39 GMT

Ian has avoided social media, his phone and been disciplined and determined, not to know the score of the EFL Trophy Final 2021. He gives Matt a call who is going to reveal to result of the game and give a detailed match report. However, there was an unexpected intervention...

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Part One - EFL Trophy Final Special 2021 - SAFC vs TRFC

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 11:52:11 GMT

Tranmere Rovers are playing Sunderland at Wembley in a matter of hours. These are Ian and Matt's hometown teams and first loves, respectively. This is the pre-game excitement before these two teams walk out at Wembley stadium to win the EFL Trophy and probably a few pizzas thrown in.

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The 1932 Bodyline Scandal - The Scourge of Cricket

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 08:16:22 GMT

How do you stop the greatest batsman of all time? Bowl dangerously towards his body and his head.

Don Bradman was an unstoppable force in Australian cricket. A remarkable sportsman that had a batting average so high, it seemed impossible to stop him. But on the boat over to Australia, the English captain devised a plan on how to tame Bradman and defeat Australia. These tactics scandalised the game and caused a diplomatic incident. This is the story of Bodyline.

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Carlton vs. Collingwood Grand Final 1915

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 14:00:06 GMT

One of the biggest games of every AFL season is between suburban rivals Collingwood and Carlton. However, few fans know the origin of this fierce rivalry that dates back to the start of the 20th Century. These two powerhouses fought each other in remarkably close games for years which were marred by bribery, match fixing, skullduggery and establishment tinkering.

Did players really go behind Pompey Elliott's back to fix games ruining the Carlton winning streak? Was there a Carlton insider in the establishment who almost prevented Collingwood's best stars from making the 1915 Grand Final? Is this the most enduring Grand Final story in VFL history?

Ross McMullin's article that inspired this episode.

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Wilma Rudolph - Olympic Icon

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:31:21 GMT

Wilma Rudolph is not a name that is commonly known when US Olympians are talked about. She should be. Wilma Rudolph overcame extraordinary personal adversity in her childhood whilst black America suffered segregation. She rose to international fame becoming one of the stars at the Rome Olympics. On her return home she set about contributing to the fight for equality and paving the way for black woman in athletics.

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Peter Norman - Black Power Icon

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 07:13:48 GMT

The field of sprinters that lined up for the 200m at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City were the greatest there had ever been. Two Americans and an Australian took the medal places. There was mild surprise that the Australian had placed in silver as he wasn't a favourite and started characteristically slow before blasting away his opponents in the final few metres. However, the running wasn't the focus by the time the athletes were stood on the podium.

The photograph of John Carlos, Tommie Smith and Peter Norman has become the most iconic image of the modern Olympics. This is the story of how a boy from Coburg, Melbourne became caught up in a storm for racial justice in the USA and Australia.

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Jane Saville - Australian Race Walker

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 13:33:07 GMT

Jane Saville was ready to set the Sydney Stadium alight for the second time in a matter of hours. Cathy Freeman had raced to Gold the night before and Saville was thriving in the glow when she found herself in the lead of the Women's 20km Race Walk. With only metres to go, Saville found herself faced with a third red card. This is the story of one of the most difficult decisions in race walking history.

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Andres Escobar - A Lethal Own Goal

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 13:59:59 GMT

Andres Escobar was a quality international footballer. He had won domestic silverware and was now part of a promising Colombian national team who were heading for the World Cup Finals in the USA ranked fourth in the world. Even the Brazilian legend Pele tipped them as favourites. Under the pressure of huge expectations the Columbians underperformed and Escobar scored an own goal against the USA. The goal proved fatal to Columbia's chances of qualification and deadly to Escobar who was assassinated on his return to his home country. This is the story of Andres Escobar.

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Keegan and Toshack - A supernatural partnership

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 13:33:14 GMT

Kevin Keegan and John Toshack were a defining strike partnership in the 1970s. Playing for Liverpool, they linked together so well, a local TV network decided to test whether there was anything more to their partnership than just football skills.

This is the story about how two 1970s British soccer players defied science to prove a supernatural aspect to their play. Or did they?

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Deep Blue vs. Garry Kasparov

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 13:27:49 GMT

In 1997, the world chess champion, Garry Kasparov, was challenged by IBM to play against their computer 'Deep Blue'. This is the extraordinary story of man versus machine. It was an international news headline as Artificial Intelligence overcame the flaws in humankind, not only to become the best chess player in the world, but also to realign our ideas about the capabilities of computers and technology.

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Nadia Comaneci - The Perfect 10 - Montreal 1976

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:08:02 GMT

Nadia Comaneci appeared at her first Summer Olympic Games in Montreal 1976. The expectations were high but nobody could've predicted the remarkable achievements of this extraordinary teenager. Even the scoreboard wasn't large enough for this Romanian who managed to score the first ever perfect 10 in history.

This is the story of how a teenager won the hearts of the world and the implications it had for her when returning to an Eastern Bloc country under the rule of a tyrant.

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James 'Buster' Douglas - Boxing's Biggest Upset

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 13:05:53 GMT

James 'Buster' Douglas was a middling fighter that, after a change of coach and a string of wins, found himself in a showdown with Mike Tyson. The infamous Tyson came into the fight as the undefeated, undisputed champion of the world. Fought in Toyko, Japan, the fight has become an example of one of the biggest upsets in world sport.

This is the story of how James Douglas sat Tyson down to become the new Heavyweight Champion of the world.

This episode was Ian and Matt's 50th episode they have recorded together. What a knockout!

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John Daly - Wild Thing

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:05:23 GMT

Golfer John Daly earned the nickname 'Wild Thing' due to his awesome power off the tee and perhaps his antics both on and off the course. His extraordinary talent for playing golf and taming the most difficult courses, added to his love for fast food, alcohol and cigarettes, make for an exhilarating story of his rise in this conservative sport. This is the story of the incredible first years of John Daly's golfing career.

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Robert Falcon Scott - Antarctic Explorer

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 14:02:11 GMT

Rober Falcon Scott, Ernie Shackleton and Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen were the great explorers in this 'heroic age'. The South Pole had not been conquered. It was the last major feat to explore. But who could do it first?

This is the story of one of the greatest challenges of all time. The race for the South Pole.

Check out these extraordinary photographs of the expeditions.

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Allan Wells - Scottish Olympian

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 14:06:13 GMT

This is the story of the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices an unfunded Scottish sprinter made in order to compete in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Allan Wells managed to do the unthinkable on the world stage but he still had his detractors. Just two weeks after the games, he set about dispelling any doubts that he was the legitimately the fastest man on the planet.

You can now listen to all The Wheel of Sport episodes on Spotify.

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Bert Trautmann

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 11:42:16 GMT

Bert Trautmann bombed the cities of England during the Second World War only to make amends by keeping goal for Manchester City. An outstanding goalkeeper who managed to win an FA Cup in the most extraordinary circumstance. An incredible story of a footballing legend.

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A Boston Marathon Fairytale

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:05:32 GMT

A Cuban immigrant entered her first ever marathon in New York City 1979. Six months later, she stormed the field at The Boston Marathon. She was an unknown. A novice. An enigma. But after the celebrations, TV interviews and fanfare in the days following the marathon, her story began to unravel.

This is the story of Rosie Ruiz: 1980 Boston Marathon.

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Torquay United - The Jaws of Victory

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 11:54:27 GMT

Torquay United FC, a struggling team on England's south coast, were destined for relegation out of the Football League in 1987. They found themselves down in their last game before an outside influence changed the game on its head. What was that influence, how did it change the game and did Torquay manage to survive the dreaded drop?

Find out with Matt and Ian in another cracking episode of The Wheel of Sport.

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The Nail - Gus 'Honeycomb' Johnson

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 22:59:59 GMT

Gus Johnson was a terrific basketball player. He had admirers across America. Johnson's exceptional leap had gained notoriety and allowed Johnson to elevate his game to an impressive level. However, it was when Johnson was in a bar in Idaho that his legend was cemented into sporting and social history.

This is the story of 'The Nail'.

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Football Casuals

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:01:46 GMT

Fashion and football started to become intertwined during the post-war period when fans started to treat match day as an occasion worth dressing for. Old clips of Liverpool's Spion Kop show fans packed together wearing suits with shirt and tie often accompanied by a Beatle's style 'mop top' hairstyle.

As the game progressed into the 1970s, the opportunity to go abroad and explore continental Europe, gave ordinary fans the chance to sample other cultures and fashion trends. Following your team in European competition often meant bringing back some fashionable 'trainees' to show off to all your mates. This is the origin story of Liverpool's influence on the Football Casual culture.

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The Ever First World Cup Winners - West Auckland Town FC

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 14:01:16 GMT

Common knowledge tells you that the first ever World Cup was hosted in Uruguay, 1930. However, a charismatic entrepreneur managed to organise an international soccer tournament well before FIFA was even conceived. Even more remarkable is the teams that were involved and the eventual winners who risked everything to retain the trophy.

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Australia vs England: Netball Commonwealth Games 2018

Tue, 19 May 2020 14:01:31 GMT

Australia has long dominated International Netball and have only been challenged by near neighbours New Zealand. When it was announced that the 2018 Commonwealth Games was to be held in Australia's Gold Coast, the writing was on the wall. Australia was destined to win another gold medal, but this time, they would get to win it in front of their adoring fans, on home soil. However, a seasoned England team had other plans. Despite never progressing past the bronze medal, Netball England had been busy working on a plan to win silver. But could they actually win gold?

This is the story of one of the most dramatic conclusions to a sporting event ever.

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Niki Lauda - 'An out and out racer'

Wed, 06 May 2020 04:35:36 GMT

Andreas Nikolaus Lauda was an extraordinary racing driver. His determination and self funding landed him in the F1 driving seat in his early twenties. He managed to move to Ferrari where he suffered a spectacular crash that would challenge his mental and physical resilience.

This is the story of Niki Lauda - 'An out and out racer'

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Euro '92: The Danish Fairytale

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 07:25:24 GMT

In a remarkable turn of events the Danish national football team found themselves in a major tournament they didn't even qualify for. The eight teams in the competition reflected the dynamic national and political situation in a continent adjusting in a post-Soviet era. This is the story of how a group of Danes grabbed an opportunity to write themselves in footballing history and managed to defeat some of Europe's greatest ever teams on the way.

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The First Modern Olympics

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 10:23:24 GMT

The small rural town of Much Wenlock in Shropshire provided the inspiration for what would become a sporting behemoth. The modern Olympic Games has travelled the world providing inspiration to many. However, it came from humble beginnings when a Frenchman in 1896 helped to organise the event that has become the template for the most watched international sporting event in the world.

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History of the Bicycle

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 21:02:39 GMT

There has always been a thirst for humans to travel quickly and the horse was the main means for people to do this. The first bicycle wasn't too impressive but within a century the bicycle transformed society, technology and sport. This is the story of how the mighty bicycle impacted on the sport and beyond.

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Jonathan Edwards - Triple Jump Legend

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 09:53:05 GMT

The playful field event of Triple Jump has been a mainstay of modern Olympic history. Plenty of records have been broken in this event as the decades have ticked over. That is, until Jonathan Edwards stepped up to the board in Gothenburg, 1995.

In an event, rarely recognised for its incredible technical challenges, Edwards forged a World Record that still stands at the time of recording. An extraordinary feat and an extraordinary athlete.

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The Miracle Mile - Roger Bannister

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 14:00:29 GMT

Whilst the dust was settling after the Second World War there was an optimism for a better world. A world where people could focus on human endeavour instead of human destruction. Roger Bannister found himself at the centre of a worldwide battle to be the first athlete to break the four minute mile.

Australia's John Landy had come excruciatingly close but Bannister gained the assistance of his friends to assist him on a wet Oxford afternoon to attempt breaking this four minute benchmark. The outcome set up a race between the two men where they would truly find out who the greatest miler of all time was.

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LW Wright - Nascar Legend

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:00:55 GMT

This is the remarkable story of a seasoned Nascar racing driver finishing his career during the Winston 500 race at Taladega by walking off the track after an engine failure on lap thirteen leaving his car and colleagues behind. He was never, ever, seen or heard of again. Something was clearly very wrong with LW Wright.

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Monica Seles

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 14:00:23 GMT

Monica Seles set the tennis world alight when she arrived on the circuit beating all before her. She collected eight Grand Slams and she was still a teenager. An extraordinary event on court in Germany changed everything. She showed formidable determination to get her career back on track.

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Boris Grigoryevich Onishchenko - Modern Pentathlon

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 14:00:07 GMT

This is the story of a Soviet athlete who beat all the odds to defeat Jim Fox in the 1976 Olympics. However, he beat Fox a little too well. Suspiciously well. Jim Fox was not happy. Nor were the judges. Onishchenko had overstepped the mark and this is the story of how it all unravelled.

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The Rumble in the Jungle

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 09:30:03 GMT

A remarkable time for heavyweight boxing, heavyweight politics and in the background of the Civil Rights Movement, two American fighters went head-to-head in the African nation of Zaire. Over two billion people watched the fight and it has been indelibly printed on fans of boxing worldwide ever since.

David Frost interviewing Ali

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The Tyne-Wear Rivalry - Newcastle vs. Sunderland

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:00:07 GMT

In the North East of England, two cities have had a rivalry that dates back the the English Civil War. When that competitive spirit was be channeled onto the football pitch, it sparked a tribalism that would rival any in world football. The red hot atmosphere and competitive nature of these to fine English cities culminates in a contest that shows no sign of simmering.

Guest Craig Bowes (Newcastle United) and host Matt Lavery (Sunderland AFC) battle it out whilst Ian McNally (Tranmere Rovers) mediates - and manages to squeeze in a couple of great moments with both sides against the Rovers!

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Clive 'The Book' Thomas - International Referee

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:01:43 GMT

Clive Thomas was a referee that reached the top of the tree. He was given the responsibility of officiating some of football's biggest games including the World Cup Finals. His reputation for sticking steadfastly to the laws of the game earned him the nickname 'The Book'.

However, he earned the ire of many football fans with timing of his decisions and his inflexible approach. This is the story of the referee who has gone down in Everton and Brazilian folklore for all the wrong reasons.

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Rugby's Harry Owen Roe - The Welshman in France

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:00:19 GMT

In the early 20th Century rugby was struggling through a recent fractious split between League and Union. A shipping clerk working in Penarth, Wales was soon to transform the game in his own way but not in his own country. This is the story of Harry Owen Roe and the indelible mark he left on French Rugby taking minnows Bayonne to the championship and changing the way the sport in France was played ever since.

Here is how Basque Pelota is played.

Please review The Wheel of Sport wherever you get your podcasts or get in touch via Instagram, Twitter or email.

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The Busby Babes

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 21:41:33 GMT

This is the story about how Busby revolutionised a football club and arguably provided a template for Manchester United to grow into the most recognisable sports club in the world.

Post war Britain was a bleak landscape. Devastated by war, the country was in the process of rebuilding its infrastructure and institutions. One symbol of this period was the youthful and energetic Manchester United team being meticulously rebuilt by Matt Busby. Such was the freshness and optimism around this team, they became know as 'The Busby Babes'. However, their progress was dealt a tragic blow during the Munich Air Disaster on February 6th, 1958. The Busby Babes will forever be remembered for their outstanding footballing abilities and, sadly, the tragedy that halted the progress of one of the greatest teams in the post war period.

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1995 World Cup Final South Africa

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 13:05:28 GMT

In a country that had been gripped by the oppressive apartheid regime, hope came along in the form of the Rugby World Cup. However, rugby was a symbol of white domination and this was a nation of newly liberated black people. Nelson Mandela decided to take this opportunity to carry his nation forward. This was a high risk political move but could it pay off? Listen to Ian and Matt make sense of one of the most memorable Rugby World Cup Finals.

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Derek Redmond - Never Give Up

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 14:00:08 GMT

In Barcelona 1992, Derek Redmond had the opportunity to make up for his disappointment in Seoul 1988, where he failed to start the race due to injury. Everything looked good as Redmond trotted through the qualification stage to get into the Semi-Final. After he rocketed out of the blocks Redmond looked like this was his time to shine. A cruel twist and an intervention from a spectator led to one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

Donate to Matt's Marathon efforts for research into brain injury and illness here.

Watch Derek Redmond with a sentimental soundtrack here.

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The Fastest 147 - Ronnie 'The Rocket' O'Sullivan

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:00:51 GMT

This was a routine game a the start of snooker's most gruelling tournament. Ronnie O'Sullivan had made a maximum break when a junior and an amateur but this was in the cauldron of The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Playing the seasoned pro Mick Price, 'The Rocket' complained to his opponent that he was feeling tired. Then taking to the table, he made the most remarkable break in snooker's history. This is the extraordinary story of the fastest maximum break in snooker. And the small matter of the distinctive stance of Match Referee Len Ganley.

Here is the Half Man Half Biscuit masterpiece The Len Ganley Stance

Len Ganley's Carling Black Label Advert

The Fastest 147 Break in Snooker History

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Cliff Young - Australian Icon

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 06:33:25 GMT

The idea of driving from Sydney to Melbourne fills many Australians with a sense of dread given the distance and featureless landscape. So the Australian imagination was captured when ultra long distance runners competed to run the city to city race. One competitor in particular drew curious attention due to his unique running style, interview technique and attire. Cliff Young gave so much of himself in this race and, in turn, gave Australia a legendary sporting icon.

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The Equestrian Massacre

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Matt and Ian delve into the curious case of how the regal sport of Equestrian in the USA was turned upside down in the late 20th Century. This is the intriguing story of how a high class sport was torn apart by underworld activity, criminality and skullduggery that leaves unresolved mysteries even to this day.

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The Darkest Hour - Ballybrack FC

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 15:00:00 GMT

When a Spanish immigrant Fernando Nuno La Fuente starts work in Ireland, he joins a local football team in the hope of making new friends and settling in his new home. However, camaraderie and sporting achievements were put into stark context when Fernando was driving home from a Thursday night training session and suffered a fatal collision on a local road. Leinster Senior League quickly came to the club's aid but the story didn't appear to be what it first seemed.

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The VFL Grand Final 1989

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 15:00:00 GMT

The MCG has been the venue for many great sporting moments but the 1989 VFL Grand Final is surely one of the greatest battles ever witnessed in Australia. Geelong Cats played a Hawthorn team in their pomp. Both teams showed extraordinary determination, skill and tenacity during a game that had so many incidents, it is difficult to fit them all into one podcast. What a cracker!

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Bloodgate - Harlequins vs Leinster 2009

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 15:00:00 GMT

In April of 2009, Harlequins, a stylish London rugby club had scaled the heights of European competition to meet Leinster in the quarter final stage. In this game of attrition, they ground Leinster down and with five minutes to go, they could snatch the game from the favourites by scoring with their star kicker Nick Evans. However, Nick Evans was off the field injured but the Harlequins backroom team was trying to get him back on the field. In this episode, Ian and Matt explore how this game took a turn that nobody was expecting.

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NSWRL Grand Final 1909

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 15:00:00 GMT

The start of the NSW Rugby League was a fractious time in Australian sport. In only its second year, the NSWRL was thrown into disarray on the final day of the season. The remarkable events of the day have caused lasting bad blood and a rivalry that continues to this day.

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Special Episode: The Winning Formula - Tobacco in F1

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 15:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, Matt and Ian host The Wheel of Sport's first guest, Paul Benson from the Financial Autonomy Podcast.Paul is a financial expert and a Formula One enthusiast. In this episode, Paul gives an excellent insight in how tobacco money managed to fuel a sport and provided all kinds of dilemmas for governments, F1 Teams, regulators and advertisers. Find Paul and his excellent podcast here: http://financialautonomy.com.au/index.php/audio-blog/

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The Longfellow - Lester Piggott

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:00:00 GMT

Born into a horse racing dynasty, Lester Piggott spent his life in the saddle. Notching up his first win at aged twelve his career spanned several decades and over 4000 wins. This is one of the greatest jockeys of all time. Truly, one of a kind.

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Ice Hockey Great: Mario Lemeuix

Wed, 22 May 2019 03:15:51 GMT

Loyalty in top flight sport can be a rare thing. But this is the story of a superstar who battled remarkable set backs to become one of the greatest all whilst playing for one club - The Pittsburg Penguins.In this episode we explore the incredible life of Mario Lemeuix who remains an icon of the sport.

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Oxford Cambridge Boat Race

Tue, 07 May 2019 15:00:00 GMT

This age old rivalry between two of the finest institutions in the world has often been played out on the river in the famous Boat Race. One of the most controversial moments in Boat Race history occurred before the TV cameras could capture it. The story endures to this day. Was it a win for Cambridge who had led the way or Oxford who made a late surge for victory? Find out here!

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Bending the Rules

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Sports administrators are often looking to tinker with sports rules in order to improve the fairness, excitement or safety of a sport. In this episode, Ian and Matt follow some moments when rule changes have backfired in a spectacular fashion.

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The Ethiopian King

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 13:18:47 GMT

Abebe Bikila‎ ran as an unknown in the 1960 Rome Olympics. Little did his competitors know, Bikila was about to win the marathon and also set a world record. Under the torch light of the Roman guards this was the first black African to win Olympic Gold. Bikila became an iconic barefooted runner paving the way for African dominance at marathon distance. An epic story.

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Ryder Cup Brookline 1999

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 13:00:00 GMT

In 1999, the European Ryder Cup team travelled to Brookline, Massachusetts with a very inexperienced cohort. However, in the first couple of days, they outshone an American team that was full of superstars. That was until the final day. A 'family' meeting and a visit from a future President galvanised the USA team and the story took an amazing turn.

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Doing a Bradbury

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:01:00 GMT

A young speed skater from New South Wales, Australia rose to national interest when he was part of a team to win Australia's first ever Winter Olympic Medal. It was only bronze but it caught interest in a country famed for its success in the Summer Games. However, the adulation was nothing compared to Bradbury's unlikely entry into the Salt Lake City Games in 2002. This is a story that captured a nation and has entered into Australian folklore.

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Peter Connew - The Formula One Dream

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 13:30:39 GMT

If you have ever looked admiringly at a car, this is the episode for you. Peter Connew had his head turned by a big red car and decided to dedicate himself to making a F1 car from scratch. He had a little help from his friends, trips abroad and many failures. This is the exhilarating story of the rise of Connew Racing.

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McEnroe Australian Open - Melbourne

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 13:02:18 GMT

Notorious for his fiery and combative nature, John McEnroe had never been disqualified from game, until he got to Melbourne. Ian and Matt delve into the time that McEnroe snapped and, for once, paid the price of losing his chance to compete for the Australian Open.

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Anyone for Tennis?

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 06:46:13 GMT

Matt takes us through the lingustic twists and turns in the sport of tennis, the life of a line judge and moments where the ball kids come to life. This epsiode was recorded during the Australian Open 2019 in Federation Square, Melbourne.

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The Triple Axel - Tonya Harding

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:00:00 GMT

A frighteningly good ice skating talent burst onto the scene in the late 1980s. Her name was Tonya Harding. With exceptional ability and athleticism, the world was at Tonya's feet. However, a lose of form, a tempestuous private life and some shady characters presented the sport with challenges never witnessed before.

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The Elusive Nine Dart Finish

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 13:00:00 GMT

The wonderful world of darts is brash and entertaining but there is no moment more special than a player hitting a '9 Dart Finish'. They are so rare that only a handful of players had made one before the 2000s. In this episode, we track the history of this elusive finish to a wonderful finale in the 2010 match between Phil Taylor and James Wade. A feat was acheived that may never be repeated.

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2018 Christmas Special - Boxing Day Magic

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:00:00 GMT

The Christmas schedule for football in England is relentless for the players and supporters. Historically, it has thrown up some extraordinary results, situations and been the time for some amazing social events that have changed history. Ian and Matt explore this captivating time in this Wheel of Sport Christmas Special.

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K.V. Switzer - The Boston Marathon

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 13:00:00 GMT

Runner number 261 started The Boston Marathon in 1967 with high hopes of running a strong time. However, things took a strange turn only two miles in when a race organiser took exception to the runner. Things have never been the same since.

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The Kaiser Conman

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 13:00:00 GMT

What happens when you have the aspiration to be a top flight soccer player but don't want to actually play? Carlos Kaiser managed to play for numerous top flight Brazilian clubs but never kicked a ball. This is his story. @thewheelofsport on Twitter and Instagram

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Hill vs Schumacher

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 13:00:00 GMT

In the 1994 F1 finale, Damon Hill was just one point behind Schumacher as they both competed to win their first title. Schumacher made a crucial mistake that forced him into a decision to see how much he wanted that first great win of his career. Follow on Instagram and Twitter @thewheelofsport

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A Struggling Olympian Kerri Strugg - Atlanta 1996

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 14:00:00 GMT

This All American Gymnastics team where known as The Magnificent Seven. They were due to crush their long time Russian rivals in Atlanta, Georgia. However, in the last event Kerri Strugg mistimed her landing in The Vault and severely damaged her ankle. With one more effort left, would Kerri be able to gather herself to win Gold for herself, her team, her coach and Uncle Sam?

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The Wheel of Sport Review

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 10:56:08 GMT

Unfortunately, there is no proper episode this week but there is a call to action and a quick review of the amazing stories from the world of sport that we have covered. Follow us on Instagram and Twitterhttp://turnstilenetwork.com

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A Grey Day For Manchester United

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 14:00:00 GMT

When Man Utd stole a march on Newcastle in the 1995/96 Premier League season, they looked unstoppable. That was until they met relegation favourites Southampton. However, it wasn't the players who got the blame. It turns out that fashion was the victim. A half time substitution that has been written into Premier League folklore.

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The Race That Never Was

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:34:19 GMT

This epsiode charters the chaos that caused the derailment of the 1993 Grand National at Aintree. The event is billed as the greatest race in the sporting calendar but in 1993 there were problems from the very start. Justin and Ian explore what happened in the race that never was.Follow @thewheelofsport on Twitter and Instagram.

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Tyson vs Holyfield

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:20:24 GMT

Two giants of the boxing world came together in two spectacular fights. With an incredible back story, Tyson and Holyfield fought with raw emotion to an unpredictable end.Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thewheelofsport

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Chris Boardman - Superman

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 14:00:00 GMT

Born on the Wirral Peninsula, Chris Boardman went from the modest ranks of the Birkenhead Victoria Cycling Club to Olympic Gold and that was just the start. Join Justin and Ian as they describe the fascinating way Boardman ended his career with one final act that blew everyone away.

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Wimbledon 2001 - Goran Ivanisevic

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 14:00:00 GMT

In this incredible last gasp effort, Goran Ivanisevic rised from a wild card entry to become Wimbledon champion. Justin and Ian track his remarkable rise through the tournament and even mange to survive the occassional rain delay.

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World Cup Special Part Two

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:08:34 GMT

Join Justin and Ian for the second part of The World Cup Special. In the top five World Cup moments, there are killer tackles, international diplomacy, red cards, penalties and factory workers in a chemical plant in Middlesborough.

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World Cup Special Part One

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:00:00 GMT

Join Justin and Ian through a countdown of some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history. There will be some cheers, tears, strong language and terrible haircuts. Follow The Wheel of Sport on Twitter and Instagram.

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Eric Cantona vs The World

Tue, 29 May 2018 18:00:00 GMT

Eric Cantona is known fondly by Manchester United fans as 'King Eric'. A mercurial talent, Cantona wrote himself into football history, not for his incredible ability but for his Kung Fu style kick to the chest of Crystal Palace supporter, Matthew Simmonds. Justin and Ian take a journey through the checkered career of this wonderfully entertaining rulebreaker. Follow @thewheelofsport on Twitter and Instagram.

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Trevor Chappell: Aus vs NZ One Day International 1981

Tue, 15 May 2018 19:00:00 GMT

When New Zealand met Australia at the MCG in 1981, the finale could not have been closer. However, spectators, neutrals and New Zealand were denied the right to reply by a legal action by Australia's, less than star bowler, Ian Chappell. Listen to Justin and Ian try to make sense of this iconic moment in Antipodean sporting history.

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World Snooker Championship Final 1985

Tue, 01 May 2018 20:00:00 GMT

This episode covers the captivating 1985 World Snooker Championship Final between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor. In the UK, 18.5million people stayed up after midnight to watch the conclusion of this gripping sporting event that changed the sport forever. Follow us on Twitter @thewheelofsport

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The Open 1999: Jean Van De Velde

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 21:15:59 GMT

In the first episode of The Wheel of Sport, Justin and Ian talk through one of the most remarkable finales to a major tournament in world sport. The Open took place in Carnoustie on Scotlands wild east coast. Everything was going to plan until Jean Van De Velde took to the tee on the final hole of the tournament with the Claret Jug in touching distance.

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Introducing the Wheel of Sport

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 01:57:09 GMT

The Wheel of Sport is your sometimes nostalgic often informative trip through the sporting past. Join Ian and Justin as they talk about events gone by as only they can. Presented by the Turnstile Network. www.turnstilnetwork.com

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